I'd say the odds are AAA would get you help sooner based on more coverage.

I don't carry anything. If when you need it you have to wait hours for anyone to show up, it's not worth it.

MY bike is an '89Car is a '94Boyfriend's car is a '97 with 190k on itTruck has 275k on it.

For some people it's worth getting, considering the price of a tow. Especially if the truck were to break down when towing a trailer, most places charge for 2 tows (one for the truck, another for the trailer). AAA won't cover towing the trailer, so we'll probably be going with good sam since they cover bikes, trailers, and anything you own.

There is a distinct lack of mention of the COST of these services in this thread. I'd be interested in know at least approximate costs.

I used to have AAA with RV Plus, and had gotten on initally under my parent's membership so it was something like $50/year. Had many painless vehicle towing experiences. I let my coverage lapse, moved to Colorado, and when I went to renew, they wanted something like $200 annually, and didn't cover motorcycles.

If I had a finicky machine, it might be worth it, but I will probably tow something once in 5 years? That won't pay for it. When my husband crashed his bike, I could have called a tow truck. Instead I just got a uHaul trailer for 30 bucks, and hauled it out of the canyon myself.

If I was planning a long distance ride, I would DEFINATELY be willing to lay out more $$ for roadside assistance to cover the trip. But just for the normal, Saturday afternoon cruising I have a hard time laying out a huge block of cash (in addition to all the other costs of owning/riding a motocycle). Heck, I didn't even add extra coverage for our week-long ride to the Black Hills last summer -- didn't seem worth the cost.

There is a distinct lack of mention of the COST of these services in this thread. I'd be interested in know at least approximate costs.

AAA coverage costs will vary from state to state I'm guessing, seeing as the coverage offers varies so wildly state to state NorCal AAA coverage (which did NOT include motorcycles was around $45/year, IIRC

I called AllState Roadside assistance and for $109 and change/year, the cars and motorcycles are covered. In fact, any vehicle I can stand near is covered, so that means a fellow rider's bike, if that was the case. I did not get clarification on trailers, since we don't have one.

Jen, good sam is $80 for a whole household (member, spouse, and kids living at home under 26 or something). I think they might charge between $12 and $25 to join the club as well. AAA NC is $120. Because of the truck and 7x16 trailer I'm only looking into things that cover it as well. I might have to ask my grandparents about good sam since they own a RV.

Another option I just found is coach net, which also has a plan that covers trailers and bikes. They have coverage in Mexico, which I don't think most of the others do. Not an issue for me, but might be useful for some of the members.

Because I had AAA, when we were stranded in the Nevada desert, I was waiting for help to arrive instead of solving my problem myself. If I didn't have the coverage, I could have hitched a ride to the nearest service station and solved my own problems. As it was, that's what I ended up doing, only we sat and baked in the desert sun for over two hours before I did.

There is a distinct lack of mention of the COST of these services in this thread. I'd be interested in know at least approximate costs.

I used to have AAA with RV Plus, and had gotten on initally under my parent's membership so it was something like $50/year. Had many painless vehicle towing experiences. I let my coverage lapse, moved to Colorado, and when I went to renew, they wanted something like $200 annually, and didn't cover motorcycles.

If I had a finicky machine, it might be worth it, but I will probably tow something once in 5 years? That won't pay for it. When my husband crashed his bike, I could have called a tow truck. Instead I just got a uHaul trailer for 30 bucks, and hauled it out of the canyon myself.

If I was planning a long distance ride, I would DEFINATELY be willing to lay out more $$ for roadside assistance to cover the trip. But just for the normal, Saturday afternoon cruising I have a hard time laying out a huge block of cash (in addition to all the other costs of owning/riding a motocycle). Heck, I didn't even add extra coverage for our week-long ride to the Black Hills last summer -- didn't seem worth the cost.

I have both AAA "RV Plus" which is supposed to cover motorcycles, and AMA, and have never used either one. I also downloaded the AAA app for my Android phone, which accepted my moto as one of the vehicles as I set it up.

I had to use AMA's towing on the way to ESTN in 2009, was very happy with the experience.

From my notes:

About 30 minutes after I called I was helping load the bike onto a flatbed truck for the 10 mile ride to Max's BMW in Troy, NY. I declined the opportunity to work the levers of the tilt-bed and instead held the bike as we flattened out. The tow driver was a nice guy, but you don't want this guy behind you on the road. Between checking texts, talking on the cell, programming the GPS and writing notes, there wasn't much attention left to glance up out the windshield very often. He was impressed with my NJ plates, and asked me what the fartherst I've ever ridden was. "Wyoming" I told him. He said he has a 93 GSXR-1100, and he once rode it from his home in Ballston Spa all the way to Lake George (34 miles according to Google Maps).

I've had to use AMA twice in the last month, but for my car. The first time was very pleasant, nice quick service. The next time was horrendous. It took about 2.5 hours before the truck showed up, and the young redneck was totally clueless.

like bryan, i have the ama tow service but have only used it for my truck (twice). one was free, the other was outside their range (or whatever they call it) and i had to pay some minimal amount. i do the auto renewal so i don't pay extra for the service.

I've towed a few bikes, all but one time through AAA-RV. The one time was a tandem tow arranged by Progressive and the driver, very experienced, could stand in for Iggy Pop. I started carrying my own Canyon Dancer in the Givi (trying to work Murphy's Law in my favor) and the one tow I've had since we used it, and the company owner called me later asking where he could get one.

One evening I got a call. It was a friend of mine, out in the rain, asking if I knew how to jump his Sprint. The towing service Triumph called (it was part of the purchase) had never been called out to a motorcycle before.

AAA RV is handy for other things--I got my International driving permit through them before my Japan trip. Free passport photos, too. They also jumped my hybrid car five times in three months before I had the sense to get rid of it.

I had a breakdown a couple of weeks ago and called the number on my AMA card for roadside assistance. The operator told me they no longer handled AMA's roadside program. She was helpful and gave me the number of another service that currently handls AMA's roadside assistance. The operator this time couldn't find my AMA account so the tow wasn't covered. She did get a truck out to me, though.

I have AMA roadside because I signed up for three years. My membership doesn't expire until September 2012. I have moved twice since I got my membership but the monthly magazine gets to me and my address is correct on their website.

I'm kind of glad this happened on my way home from work. I'll be sure everything is in order and I have the right phone number on me before leaving on an extended trip I'm planning for this summer. Also something I'll add to the pre-trip checklist for the future.

I have both AAA "RV Plus" which is supposed to cover motorcycles, and AMA, and have never used either one. I also downloaded the AAA app for my Android phone, which accepted my moto as one of the vehicles as I set it up.

Anyone have any recent towing experiences?

I have the same AAA coverage. Yes, they paid last summer after I wreaked my bike and had it towed a good distance. I was in the middle of nowhere.

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